Hey! I promised to update if I got five reviews, and I did, so I'm updating! This is from Bella's point of view, and I think the next will be from Kit's. Thanks, and pleeeaaase review! And if you want to be a beta, please tell me!!!!

Thank you's are at the bottom!!

Flowergurl :D

Real Life, Interrupted

Chapter Two: In Which Our Heroine's Reach Their Destination

"Bella-"

"What're-"

I silenced my friends with a sharp "Shh!" and a wave of my hand. They were coming nearer. "Princess!" is what I could make out. My heart quickened, and I signaled to Laurie and Kit. "C'mon, there are people out here."

"But-" Kit began to protest, but Laurie grabbed her wrist and dragged her along.

I could hear the snapping of bushes, and three men emerged into the clearing. "Princess!" they exclaimed breathlessly, bowing low to me.

I shot a quizzical look to my friends over my shoulder. Kit had her arms crossed, looking extremely skeptical, and Laurie's eyebrows were raised.

"Princess, please, we beg of you, and you too, ladies, please do not wander in the forest without an escort. It could put you in danger."

One beckoned to me, and I walked over to him, taking his arm. They were all dressed weirdly in what looked like a blouse, a jumper over it, and tights! They led us in silence through the forest, and we were too scared to protest. They had knives in abundance hanging from a belt around their waists.

We emerged onto a road where there was a long chain of carriages. A big carriage in the front was decked in dark and light blues. There were men on horses in armor surrounding the carriage and in the front and back of the line. There were many men standing around, and they all broke into excited chatter when we came into sight. A very large woman in an expensive looking gown was weeping into a handkerchief in front of the blue carriage. Many finely dressed women, whose faces lit when they saw us, were consoling her.

"Lady Verilla, look, the Princess is right there!" one cried.

The woman wheeled around, and the next thing I knew, chubby arms were around my neck. "Isabella, don't you dare do that again!" she sobbed.

I peeked over her shoulder and saw that Laurie and Kit had been surrounded by the women, and looked as though they were being questioned thoroughly. I pulled away from the woman-Lady Verilla; I thought it was-and she was led gently into the carriage. Laurie and Kit were also herded inside, and they were sending me pleading looks. I was moving towards them when a hand was placed on my arm. I turned quickly and met the eyes of an older man who was very finely dressed in a white blouse, a dark blue jumper thing that came to about mid-calf, and light blue hose-like the men.

He bowed low. "Princes Isabella," he said as he rose from the bow and fixed me with a stern gaze. "You aren't to leave the procession without an escort. Surely you know that?"

I swallowed and nodded. He held his arm out to me and I took it, to be steered forcefully to the open door of the blue carriage, where he ignored the footman's hand and helped me in himself. The door slammed behind me.

It was very large inside, and I straightened. It was all dark blue, with the couches that were facing each other in light blue. On one side, Lady Verilla was blowing her nose into her silk handkerchief and on the other; my friends were very close together, looking at me with wide eyes. I sat down next to them. "They think I'm a princess!" I cried, trying to keep my voice low.

Laurie nodded. "I know."

"Did you find out any information when those women closed in on you?" I asked.

"Yes, apparently, we walked off together without an escort and they were all frantic." Laurie answered, shooting a sideways glance to Lady Verilla.

"Yes, and they know our names!" Kit hissed to me.

Laurie nodded. "They were calling us Lady Lauren and Lady Katherine, and were asking us every second if we were all right."

"And they speak with accents, but different from any I've ever heard," Kit added.

"If only I knew where we were! You don't think we've been transported back in time, do you?" I asked.

Laurie's eyebrows shot up. "Of course not!" Kit snapped, but looked fearful all the same. "That's not possible, Bella! This is just-just someone's sick idea of a joke!"

"Isabella," the woman across from us started. I turned my head sharply to her. "Isabella, do not do that again. We cannot have you being killed in the woods somewhere! You are the only heir to the throne! And the fate of Galla is in your hands!" She cried, wringing her own.

"I-I'm sorry?" I said cautiously.

"Too right you are." Lady Verilla huffed, straightening her dress. "The Prime Minister was in shambles! All of his hard work could have gone to waist, just because you decided to go off into the woods and frolic!"

"The Prime Minister?" I asked, wanting to put names with faces.

"Yes, you know, Brothmeyr the Third? The man who scolded you outside a moment ago?"

Oh yes, I knew…the stern faced one.

Suddenly, the carriage began moving. Lady Verilla sniffed. "Good, it's about time we set off again. What is the matter with you, Isabella? And you too, Laurie and Kit. You girls are being so quiet!"

"Oh, just-just nervous, I guess." I said quickly. I paused, and then, "Where is it that we are going again?"

Lady Verilla looked at me incredulously. "Where we have been going the past three weeks," she said.

I nodded, trying to look like I knew. Then I said, in a small voice, "Where is that again?"

"Corus! Capitol of Tortall! Or have you forgotten that you are getting married?!" Lady Verilla's face was turning an ugly shade of purple.

"Of course not, of course not," I said reassuringly. I smiled quickly at her, but in reality, I was about to burst.

I turned to Kit and Laurie. "We're inside a book!" I whispered, my eyes wide.

"What?!" they cried at the same time.

"I said," I began quietly, "that we are in a book."

"Where the hell did you get that idea?" Kit hissed angrily.

"It's the only place I have ever heard of called 'Tortall'. It's in books by Tamora Pierce!"

"You have really cracked this time, Bella!" she proclaimed, leaning back.

"Bella, you have to admit, it does sound pretty far-fetched." Laurie said diplomatically.

"It's true! I'll prove it to you somehow…by my knowledge of everything that is going on!"

Hey, I might be a senior in high school, but I still love Tamora Pierce's Tortall books!

I sat back. "How is Princess Shinkokami and Prince Roald's wedding plans going?" I asked Lady Verilla.

"How should I know?" Lady Verilla snapped. "It was foolish of King Jonathan to make arrangements with those savages."

"The Yamani's aren't savages!" I burst angrily.

Lady Verilla looked at me with surprise. "You have always agreed with me."

"Well, I've had a change of heart." I said defiantly.

Lady Verilla snorted. "Of course, Highness." She rolled over to face the side of the carriage, and soon, we could hear her snores.

"Convinced?" I asked smartly as I turned back to my friends. Kit had her head in her hands and Laurie was looking at me with wide eyes. "How did you know all of that?"

"I told you, it's all in books!"

"Well then explain these books, won't you, so we won't be lost!" Kit snapped.

I smiled, glad they believed me. "Well, the books so far have followed three women: Lady Alanna, Knight of Tortall, Veralidaine Sarrasri, Wildmage of Tortall, and Lady Keladry, also a knight of Tortall…" I told each story that belonged to the women, plus anything else I could remember. "And we left off before 'Lady Knight'." I finished. I could tell their minds were reeling.

"Bella, all of that is impossible! Gods that actually take part in people's lives?" Laurie cried.

"And wild magic? Magic in general? And those creatures you mentioned! Dragons and-what were they?-stormfeathers don't exist!" Kit said passionately.

"Fine, don't believe me. And they're called stormwings, Kit."

Laurie shook her head. "I'm open to most ideas, Bells, but some of these things I will have to actually see to believe."

Kit nodded energetically in agreement. The carriage slowed to a stop, and Lady Verilla jerked awake. "Here already?" she said sleepily.

I breathed deeply (or at least, I attempted to) and stood. The door was opened, and I climbed out, assisted by the footman. Prime Minister Brothmeyr was waiting, a scowl on his face. He bowed to me and took my arm. "It is good to finally be here," he said, his voice clear of emotion. "The procession has taken long enough."

"I'm sure the Tortallans are very hospitable," I said stiffly.

"We had enough of them come to escort us," Brothmeyr grunted as we walked up the steps of the palace. "I was very displeased with the King for doing this. Most unwise. I don't believe that we are to live in a country where the greatest knight is a woman!" he said woman like it was a curse word.

I bit my tongue and said instead, "What is the name of the Prince I'm marrying again?"

"Liam of Conte, Princess, how many times must I tell you?" he snapped as we prepared to mount the last few steps. (A/n-I didn't make that up-look in the cast of characters at the back of "Page".)

I nodded. We stopped at the very top and he turned to me. "Princess, I expect the utmost cooperation from you on this trip. You must sit and look pretty while I handle the talks with King Jonathan. Do not disgrace Galla."

I nodded, my throat stuck.

The great doors were open, and we stepped inside the brightly lit, very big entrance hall. Maids and other servants were bringing in our luggage from doors in the back. Standing in the front of the hall was two men and a woman. The Prime Minister led me to them, and I smiled. The woman was very pretty. She looked to be a little older than I, with straight black hair to her waist. Her skin was tan, and her eyes were almond-shaped. She was wearing a green silk gown and holding a delicate looking green silk fan. The first man looked to be older than me too, but he was drop dead gorgeous. He had a coal black beard, sapphire blue eyes, and was dressed in the same weird outfit that they wore in the olden days, a green tunic, white blouse, and green hose. The second man was even more handsome, if possible. He looked exactly like the first man, minus the beard and his hair was curlier. I nearly swooned, but caught myself. I glanced back at Kit and Laurie, whose eyes had gone slack, and grinned.

Brothmeyr whispered sharply in my ear, "That is the crown prince, Roald, and his bride-to-be, Shinkokami. And the other man is Liam of Conte, your fiancée."

I turned around, all smiles, hiding my nervousness, and curtsied to Prince Roald. He bowed politely. "Welcome, Princess. I am Roald of Conte, and this is Princess Shinkokami, of the Yamani Islands."

The Princess smiled and curtsied, then embraced me gently. "Welcome, Isabella," she whispered, her voice holding an accent. Well, different from the others, I mean.

"And this," Roald went on, "is Prince Liam, my younger brother."

I curtsied and he bowed, smiling at me (revealing very white teeth) and gently kissed my knuckles. I would have been content to stare into his bright blue eyes forever, but a sharp cough from Brothmeyr startled me out.

"Oh!" I exclaimed, blushing. "This is Prime Minister Brothmeyr the Third of Galla," I said formally. Brothmeyr greeted them, and then stood aside. "And," I gestured to Laurie and Kit, "these two are my dear friends, Lady Lauren of Galla," I paused, and Laurie glanced at me. I nodded slightly, and she curtsied. "And this is Lady Katherine of Galla." Kit followed Laurie's lead, curtsying, and I let out a breath I had been holding in relief.

I introduced Lady Verilla, trying to keep my face neutral when she looked down her nose at Shinkokami and scowled. Shinkokami's smile faltered a bit, but other than that, she remained the calm.

Once all the introductions were made, Roald cleared his throat and everyone stopped whispering. "I would like to begin by welcoming you on behalf of my mother and father, who are currently away," he began. "And, we will be taking you to your rooms, and a servant will fetch you when it is time for dinner. Since Their Majesties are away, Court will not be taking place tonight, and I apologize. They should be home by tomorrow, and we will introduce her Highness Princess Isabella and the rest of the Gallan delegation then. Thank you, and if you'll follow me, please."

Talk broke out again over the crowd. I leaned over to Laurie and Kit. "See, I told you! That's Prince Roald and Princess Shinkokami!"

Laurie sighed and Kit looked very anxious. "Why didn't you tell me those guys were hot?!" she demanded.

"I'm sorry, the book doesn't have any illustrations!" I retorted, and turned.

Liam was there, and he bowed low and offered his arm. I smiled and curtsied, taking it. We followed the royal couple around a corner.

"I trust that your journey was smooth?" he asked, breaking the silence that stretched between us.

"Yes, thank you," I said politely.

And that was the end of our conversation.

Finally, Shinkokami and Roald stopped in a long hallway. "If Princess Isabella and her ladies will follow me," Shinkokami said, determinedly avoiding Verilla's eyes.

"Yes, and if the rest will follow me," Roald said quickly, sensing his fiancée's discomfort, and taking off in the other direction.

Shinkokami turned to me and forced a smile. "I am very glad that you are here, Princess. It is time that Liam settles down. He's been a knight for three years."

I smiled. "Thank you, Princess Shinkokami. Oh, and I apologize for Lady Verilla's attitude. You know Gallan's, if they don't have anything to complain about, they aren't happy!" I said, quoting a line from one of the books.

Shinkokami looked at me strangely, and I realized too late what I had said. "I-I mean, most Gallan's," I said hastily.

She smiled. "I was wondering, because you are very pleasant to be around."

"Thank you," I said graciously.

Shinkokami gestured to a door behind us. "This is my quarters, and where my two ladies, Yukimi noh Daimoro and Haname noh Ajikuro live. I can introduce you to them later, if you like," she offered, and began walking.

"That sounds great," I said eagerly.

"Good," Shinkokami said, and opened a door. "This is your common room," she announced, stepping aside to let Laurie, Kit, and I pass. It was done in blue with gold trim, the colors of Galla and Tortall. There were many tables, couches, and chairs; two windows were facing over the gardens. "That door is your room, Princess Isabella," she went on, pointing to a door to the left, "and these two are Lauren and Katherine's." Theirs were to the right.

"Oh!" I said, turning to her, "since we are to be sisters, I figured that I should tell you my nickname! I prefer Bella."

Shinkokami smiled, "that's fine, I like Shinko. What about your ladies?" She asked, turning to Laurie and Kit.

"I like to be called Kit and she likes Laurie," Kit said, stepping into the conversation.

Shinko nodded. Maids began to come through the open door, each carrying a bundle of packages and other things for either my room, Kit's, or Laurie's. Shinko excused herself, saying she would let us change for dinner and then we would have drinks in our common room.

I parted with Laurie and Kit at a maid's suggestion so I could get ready. I followed her through the door into my room. It was decorated in scarlet and gold-"Gryffindor colors," I thought to myself, grinning-with a huge bed, a fireplace, a desk in the corner, and other couches. A door opened to reveal a large closet to the right of my bed, and another door was a bathroom. I went in to use the toilet and almost gagged. It was a seat with a hole that you sat on and a room down below where all your waste went. I used it quickly, and found myself unconsciously looking for a shower and sink. There wasn't one, of course, they didn't have indoor plumbing. I instead washed my hands in a basin that looked like something out of the Victorian age (it was white pottery). Maids dragged out a large white tub and began filling it.

I walked out into the main part of my room, where a woman was directing all the maids. She had brown hair, pulled back in some type of tie, and was a little on the short side. She looked to be in her mid-fifties. She turned to me and curtsied, her face kind. "Hello, Princess. I am Shiah, and I will be your loyal servant."

"Thank you," I said, looking around. "This is a beautiful room," I commented.

Shiah sighed. "Yes, I have been cleaning it heartily for you. I had hoped you would enjoy it."

"I do," I replied honestly, and she beamed.

"Now," she began, suddenly business-like, "I have seen I believe all of your dresses, and of course, I will be fitting you for more, but for tonight, I think you should wear the lavender satin. What do you think?"

"Um," I said, my eyebrows raised, "whatever you think, Shiah."

"Very well then, lavender satin it is!" Shiah smiled.

"Ma'am," a timid voice said from behind Shiah. She turned, and smiled at a young girl of about fourteen. "The water 'as been filled fer her Majesty," she said nervously, tucking a brown curl behind her ear and giving me a wobbly curtsy.

I smiled kindly at her, touched by her efforts. "Thank you. And what might your name be?"

The girl's eyes widened. "Jessie, Highness, Jessine Konald."

"It's very nice to meet you, Jessie," I said.

Jessie's mouth fell open, and she dropped a quick curtsy before fleeing the room.

"Well," I said, staring out the door after her.

Shiah's brows furrowed. "I don't know what's gotten in to that girl, but please accept my apologies for her," she said, taking me by the elbow and steering me into the bathroom.

I enjoyed a very hot, comforting bath, in which I emptied my mind and soaked. Shiah came in a while later, telling me that I had to get out. I did so and was wrapped securely in a towel. A maid brushed my hair out and set it in funny looking rollers, while another put blush on my cheeks (except she called it "rouge"), painted my lips red, and put dark eye shadow over my eyelids.

"All right, now, Highness, stand up and lets put this dress on," Shiah said from behind me.

I got up and turned. She was holding the most beautiful dress I had ever seen in my life. It was lavender satin with tiny diamonds in the bodice trimmed with gold thread. The bottom had a row of diamonds, also trimmed with gold thread. I stepped into it, realizing, as Shiah buttoned the diamond buttons, that this dress would be worth millions in my world.

It was even prettier on. The sleeves were, like my other dress, tight until my elbows and then fanned out to my knuckles. The skirt was full, just like I had always imagined, and was gorgeous. A maid took out my rollers and Shiah placed a different tiara on my head, this one gold with diamonds in it. I smiled with satisfaction at my reflection and set off into the common room, ready to face the night and do it well in the gorgeous dress.

Okay, time for the List of Honor:

J-Kid: I know, and I'm sorry…I will try to be more specific next time with personality switches! It was just the prologue, and that was why I didn't use "I". Thanks for the advice though, although I'm afraid I'm going to throw you off next chapter-it's going to be from Kit's POV! Thanks a lot for reviewing!!

jilla kala: Thanks so much for the positive review!! I'm glad you like LIT fics too!!

Mage Melery: Thank you! Yes, this one will have a plot, don't worry! I have read exerpts from "Lady Knight" on Tamora's site and I will be following it! Hopefully this fic'll be done by June!! Oh, and I know, believe me! Those fics are SO annoying!!

Temptress: Thanks, I love 'em too! A beta reader is a person who helps the author with ideas, gets to read the chapter before it's posted and checks it over to make sure the author didn't make any mistakes, and add in things that they think will make the story better! Hope that cleared it up…if you want to be my beta, email me please!

FlyingFire: Thanks for reviewing my other story too! You'll get credit for that when I update it! And I agree with you, everyone *does* need a beta! Now, if only I could get one…

By e-mail:

Karli: Thanks a whole lot for your reviews, and I hope to talk to you soon!!

There you have it, folks! Please, review, and you'll get your name and a message up there too!

Flowergurl :D